UK Knowledge Collection | Employment Rights Act, Planning and Infrastructure Act, and cross-border IP infringement

The government's Employment Rights Act was given royal assent yesterday, after months of intense debate and some substantial amendments as the bill progressed through Parliament. Our experts look at the most significant changes, the implementation period for the reforms, and what employers and users of agency workers should consider as they prepare for the new rules coming into effect.   

The Planning and Infrastructure Act was also enacted yesterday. It makes changes to the legislation governing the assessment and approval of nationally significant infrastructure projects and is intended to deliver a faster and more certain consenting process for critical infrastructure. Our Insight outlines how the initial proposals were modified, and the impact for developers in England and Wales.

In January, our construction experts will be presenting a review of the year at our London office, offering a round-up of updates to recent case law, industry news and legislation (including the Planning and Infrastructure Act), and, also in January, our property litigation team will be presenting a webinar on commercial risk and legal remedies in relation to the protection of rights to light.

Our international intellectual property team has produced a guide to cross-border IP infringement, which sets out the differences in approach to copyright and trade mark infringement of certain European jurisdictions, and the practical implications for online sellers of goods.

Recent Insights

FCA sets out reconciliation rules to address safeguarding risks for UK payment and e-money firms

The Financial Conduct Authority has for a long time identified weak reconciliation practices as a significant risk and is moving to detailed, binding rules as part of its wider safeguarding reforms to protect consumers.
Read more >

How can England and Wales solve its fly-tipping crisis?

As commercial developers and public authorities see an increase in organised fly-tipping on commercial sites, the County Courts and High Court are increasingly faced with urgent claims for eviction.
Read more >

Planning and Infrastructure Act 2025: how did the infrastructure provisions change through the legislative process and what does that mean for developers?

Amendments to the infrastructure provisions benefit developers, but the coming regulations, guidance and wider implementation will be critical for success.
Read more >

Employment Law Coffee Break: The Employment Rights Act 2025

What's next for employers and agency worker suppliers?
Read more >

Cross-border IP infringement: European perspectives on foreign use of IP rights online

How are intellectual property rights enforced when businesses sell goods online across international borders?
Read more >

Events

Engagement over enforcement: interacting with regulators to reduce legal risk

14 January | One London Wall | 09:30-12:00
A panel of senior representatives from the ICO, CMA, Ofcom and UK Finance will give their insights on regulatory priorities on digital regulation, methods of engagement, and their approach to enforcement.
Register now >

Behind the screens: Osborne Clarke's media law update

20 January | One London Wall | 09:30-14:00
The principal legal and commercial developments of the past year for the media and entertainment industry.
Register now >

Understanding rights to light: what property professionals need to know

22 January | 09:30-10:30
A webinar exploring the fundamentals of rights to light, managing the commercial risks, and legal routes to light protection.
Register now >

Construction review of the year

29 January | One London Wall | 08:30-11:30
Practical, case-based updates on key dispute themes and an interactive workshop on applying lessons to live projects, with networking breakfast.
Register now >

Navigating UK immigration changes: practical planning for employers, sponsor strategy, compliance and cost

10 February | 09:15-11:00
A practical session on the latest rule changes and what they mean for hiring, retention and compliance.
Register now >